Kingsland Drinks’ Baker leaves the drinks industry

Ed Baker, the managing director of wine and spirits firm Kingsland Drinks, is leaving the drinks sector for a leadership role outside the trade.

Baker, who is taking on a leadership role outside the trade, has been at the Greater Manchester firm for more than a decade, firstly as finance director and then as managing director from 2019.

During his time at the firm, Baker oversaw investment in the company’s infrastructure, including reinstating its on-site winery and adding a laboratory for research and development of new products.

Focus

Alongside packaging wines and spirits in new formats, including bag-in-a-box, the company has also had a focus on low- and no-alcohol products.

In 2021, Baker transitioned the firm into an employee-owned model, and the company appointed the former managing director of Pernod Ricard UK and former WSTA chairman, Denis O’Flynn, as a non-executive director.

In addition, other recruits in recent years include operations director Andy Henderson, commercial director Mark Riley, and chief financial officer Simon Shelbourn, as the company looked to expand.

Crusade

Speaking about his departure, Baker said “the lifeblood and success of the drinks industry overall has been a personal crusade”.

He said: “It has been my pleasure to lead Kingsland Drinks and its members while advocating for my peers alongside the WSTA. I’m leaving behind a talented, capable and energetic team positioned to win in the years ahead.”

Baker added that his proudest achievement was the company’s site in Irlam, Greater Manchester, which he said was “home to the most diverse and full-service offering in the drinks industry, with a ‘can do’ team that really is best in class”.

Describing his departure from the drinks industry as a “new chapter in my career”, he was “confident that investment in our team, business model and strategic direction in recent years has created a strong and competitive business.”

Integral

Andy Sagar, chairman of Kingsland Drinks Group, said Baker was “an integral part” of Kingsland since his arrival as finance director in 2013.

He said: “We’ll miss him greatly, but he leaves a strong business with a sustainable investment in people and capabilities that will continue to drive our business forward.

“While it’s sad to see such a well-respected figure exit the industry, I am confident we have a strong leadership team and immense capability across the entire business, aligned with excellent relationships with all our stakeholders. Our offering is well developed, and we are prepared and ready for our next steps and an exciting future ahead for Kingsland.”

Kingsland Drinks is currently recruiting a success for Baker with the role overseeing the entire business.